Chunky Panday on Vijay 69: "I've never played a feel-good character before"

Actor Chunky Panday shared that he thoroughly enjoyed working on 'Vijay 69' because it allowed him to step away from his comedic image and take on a more emotional role.

The film, featuring Anupam Kher in the lead role, tells the story of Vijay, a 69-year-old man who challenges societal norms by training for a triathlon and refuses to let his age hinder his dreams.

Chunky Panday plays the role of Vijay's, (played by Anupam Kher) friend.

"A slice-of-life kind of feel-good film is something that I've never done before, and this is the first time I got a chance to play a role like this. I was a little confused in the beginning. I did want to play it a little over the top and do it in my commercial way, but they both (Kher and Roy) kind of handheld me and told me ‘Take it easy, calm down’,” Chunky Panday told PTI.

Chunky Panday mentioned that he became typecast in light-hearted roles, largely due to his memorable characters in films like 'Apna Sapna Money Money' and the 'Housefull' franchise. He feels those roles shaped the way audiences and filmmakers saw him, making it more challenging to break away from the comedic image.

"Some people even call me a comedian and I love that. I love making people laugh. But then I played the villain but what I really want to play and I think I'm going to get a chance in this film is to play an emotional character. In 'Vijay 69', I've got to do that,” he said.

'Vijay 69', also starring Mihir Ahuja, is currently streaming on Netflix.

The actor is excited to reprise his role as Aakhri Pasta in 'Housefull 5', which will feature a star-studded cast including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Chitrangada Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, and many more.

After the successes of 'The Railway Men', 'The Romantics', and 'Maharaj', 'Vijay 69' becomes the fourth collaboration between Netflix and YRF Entertainment.

(With Inputs: PTI)